Authorities arrest Catalina Ferry jumpers

San Pedro, Calif. – Coast Guard law enforcement officers detained three Ventura County residents after they jumped off of the Catalina Ferry Starship Express into Los Angeles Harbor near the San Pedro Coast Guard base. The three swam to shore where they were met by Coast Guard base security.

The Starship Express reported the incident to the Coast Guard just before 4 p.m. Friday.

“They are lucky they didn’t sustain any injuries. This is a serious matter. Interfering with the operation of a commercial vessel by placing yourself or others in peril is a violation of federal regulations. The Coast Guard is investigating the incident. Civil penalties in such cases can begin at $2500.00,” said Coast Guard spokesman Lt. j.g. Andrew Munoz.

The jumpers – two women from Ventura, Calif. and one man from Moorpark, Calif. – were turned over to the Los Angeles Port Police Department.